forcedleading

Forced leading is the deliberate setting of the vertical distance between baselines of consecutive lines of text to a value that overrides the font's built-in metrics. The term hails from historical typesetting, where strips of lead were used to separate lines; in modern digital typography, 'leading' is the space between baselines, and 'forced' indicates an explicit choice of line spacing rather than relying on the font's native metrics.

Usage and implementation: Designers apply forced leading to establish a regular vertical rhythm, to fit a page grid, or to enhance readability in dense blocks or narrow columns. It is commonly used in books, posters, and display typography, where precise control over line density is desired. In practice, forced leading is set by specifying an explicit line-height or leading value in typography software, or by setting a fixed line-height in CSS (for example, line-height: 1.5em or an exact pixel value) or by selecting an 'exact/leading' option in desktop publishing tools.

Considerations: While increased leading can improve readability and the clean feel of a layout, excessive leading reduces text density and page count efficiency, and too little reduces legibility. Designers must balance leading with font size, x-height, and overall grid. Accessibility guidelines encourage sufficient spacing to aid reading, especially for users with visual impairments.